Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe delivers verdict on Carrick's time as manager

Sir Jim Ratcliffe offered his brief thoughts on Michael Carrick's tenure after he was ambushed in the paddock at the Chinese Grand Prix on Saturday.

The Ineos tycoon is a one-third shareholder of Mercedes through the petrochemicals company, with the constructor a lynchpin of his sporting empire.

But it was Manchester United on the mind of Sky Sports when the billionaire was tracked down live on air, and the chance of the interim manager staying on at the club on a permanent basis.

First questioned over whether Mercedes were the strongest team on the grid once again at the start of the season, on the heels of their 1-2 qualification on Saturday morning for Sunday's race, Ratcliffe demurred.

'Well, I don't know,' he said. 'All the signs are quite good.

'It's a good start, but it's a long season,' Ratcliffe added, likely referencing George Russell's claiming of the Australian Grand Prix last weekend, and his Mercedes team-mate Kimi Antonelli's second-place finish.

On the subject of how he thought Man United, and specifically Carrick, are doing, Ratcliffe said: 'He's doing an excellent job.'

But on the subject of whether he might be handed a contract long-term, Ratcliffe quickly added: '(I'm) not going there!'

'Clearly we're thinking about (Champions League qualification), but there's still seven or eight games to go, so still a while,' Ratcliffe continued.

Since the arrival of former club captain Carrick in the dugout, Man United has experienced a surge of strong form that has seen them climb up the table to firm up their position in third.

Last Wednesday, Man United suffered only their first defeat since Carrick's arrival as they were downed 2-1 by Newcastle - for which Ratcliffe was present - but spirits remain at their highest for some time following the sacking of Ruben Amorim in January.

Despite Carrick's strong record since returning to Old Trafford, the former manager has been largely unwilling to enter into discussions about whether he will be offered the role permanently.

But at the end of February, he allowed himself to admit that he saw the job as 'the ultimate role'.

'I'm really enjoying it, I love what I'm doing,' he said. 'I'm fortunate.

'I feel privileged to be in the position I am, but it's not the fact that I believe I can do it and I'm here to do it.

'I said it when I came in - there's the sentimental side of that... of understanding the role and coming through the club and being here and loving the club and being a supporter and all that side of it is one thing. But, actually, I'm here to do a job now and to make a good team and be successful.

'I don't decide how long that's going to be but I love being here and while I'm here, I'll give everything I can. And I always plan for the long-term future for the benefit of the football club. That's how I believe it should be.'